Debt

Zephyr watched as the last of the food was ladled into bowls, the scent of rich broth and tender meat filling the cool evening air. His stomach twisted with hunger. Mustering courage, he approached the merchant's servants as naturally as possible, his face carefully blank. One of them, a wiry man with a thin mustache, hesitated before handing over a portion. Zephyr could feel the weight of their stares but ignored them. He found a spot by a tree and began to eat, tearing into the meal with unrestrained hunger.

He finished in minutes, the warmth of the food spreading through his body, but his stomach still ached for more. His gaze drifted toward the simmering pot in the distance.

The knight captain caught him staring. The man was watching him as he ate, chewing his own food slowly, methodically. Their eyes met.

Zephyr swallowed, embarrassed at being caught salivating for more. He made to look away, but the captain subtly nodded his head toward the pot as if to say—Go on. Ask for more.

The merchant leader had been watching the interaction with visible discontent, though he said nothing. It wasn't his decision to make, after all. The mercenaries protecting the caravan were contracted by his master back in Hoshin Bay, and their long-standing relationship gave them certain privileges.

Swallowing his pride, Zephyr stood and walked back to the servants. This time, they handed him another bowl without question. He hesitated, then turned toward the log where the captain sat. The younger guard was there as well. He approached them, shifting awkwardly before finally speaking.

"Sorry, I never got your name."

The boy glanced up from his food. "Cedric."

Zephyr nodded, lowering himself onto the log. "I'm Zephyr."

Cedric didn't reply, only nodded back before returning to his meal. Zephyr turned his attention to the captain, who was eating in quiet patience, his eyes half-lidded with thought. After a pause, Zephyr thanked him, voice quiet but sincere. "Appreciate it. The food, I mean."

The man didn't react immediately, taking his time chewing before finally replying.

"Gage."

Zephyr nodded.

Another beat of silence stretched between them before Gage spoke again, his tone unreadable. "What's a kid like you doing out in the wild? These roads aren't safe—not with bandits and beasts roaming about."

Zephyr opened his mouth, ready to repeat the lie he had crafted earlier, but Gage cut him off before he could speak. "Yeah, yeah—traveling to Hoshin Bay. Got robbed on the road. Companions are dead."

Zephyr froze. They stared at each other, a quiet tension settling between them.

Finally, Zephyr sighed, lowering his gaze. "I left Taisora looking for a better life. Thought I'd head for Hoshin Bay, but… it was reckless. I got lost."

It wasn't the truth, but it wasn't a complete lie either. He couldn't exactly tell them he had woken up in the middle of a ritual, and now had people hunting him down.

Gage grunted, finishing the last of his food. He didn't press further, just studied Zephyr for a long moment before standing. "Everyone's got their secrets," he muttered, turning toward his men. "Hurry it up. I want us to cover as much ground as possible today. We must be at Hoshin Bay at first light tomorrow."

Zephyr exhaled as the captain walked away.

Cedric gave him a small grin. "Don't worry about him. He's gruff, but he's got a soft spot. That's why he agreed to take you along."

Zephyr snorted. "That, and the extra money I paid."

Cedric's grin widened. "How much did he take from you?"

"Ten silver coins!"

Cedric blinked. Then laughed. "That's one gold coin. A trip to Hoshin with our protection normally costs at least five."

Zephyr's spoon froze in his hand. He stared at Cedric, then at Gage, who was talking with the merchants.

Damn.

He now owed the man. And Zephyr didn't like owing anyone anything—not in this life, not in his last one. He would have to pay him back.

But that meant finding money.

He sighed, thoughts turning dark. What would happen once they reached Hoshin? Would his pursuers still be looking for him? How far were they willing to go? He remembered the uneasy feeling he had felt earlier that morning, the sensation of being watched. They were still out there. But they hadn't attacked. That meant they were wary of this caravan's strength.

That was good. But it also meant they were patient. They were waiting.

Zephyr glanced at the distant treeline. Maybe Hoshin wouldn't be far enough. Maybe he'd have to go even further.

And that meant money.

Pickpocketing had always been his skill.

And now, without Scarface taking ninety percent of his earnings, he could make a fortune. But then he remembered what the older guard had told him about Hoshin Bay—knights were plentiful there. If he got caught, it wouldn't be easy to slip away scot-free.

He needed to survey the city first. Maybe he could actually even find a job.

He paused, frowning.

Why is pickpocketing the first thing that came to my mind?

He hadn't even considered honest work first.

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. He just kept doing things he never would have in his old life.

He turned to Cedric, who also seemed to be lost in thought—intending to ask him about job opportunities in Hoshin. But just as he was about to speak, shouts erupted from the edge of the camp. Scouts rushed back, their hurried footsteps kicking up dust. The entire caravan snapped to attention, Gage already on his feet.

Zephyr's stomach tightened.

"The hell's going on? Bandits again?" someone muttered.

The scouts skidded to a stop, panting. "Paladins! Up ahead!"

A murmur spread through the camp like wildfire.

"Paladins?!"

"The Church of Mother Gaia?"

"What are they doing all the way out here?!" Gage asked in confusion.

Zephyr's grip tightened around his spoon. His mouth suddenly felt dry.

An uneasy feeling welling inside him.

Paladins?

Why?

Had they gotten word of what happened in Taisora?